FORT WAYNE – With fewer than 10 weeks remaining until Christmas, the Allen County Christmas Bureau is hoping to wrap up this year’s search for family sponsors.

The bureau this year made a goal of providing 359 Allen County families with items to make the holidays special, said bureau president Jane Surbeck.

As of Thursday afternoon, 54 families remained on the adoption list, Surbeck said. The remaining families include one-, two- and three-member households with a variety of ages available to help. All of the larger families have been helped, she said, but those that remain include single-parent families, individuals and multigenerational households, among others.

Ideally, Surbeck said, the group would like to have sponsors in place by the end of next week.

“We like to give people a good month to shop,” she said.

Although more than 300 families still remain on the list for assistance, Surbeck said there has been a decline in requests from agencies that help families in need of Christmas gifts.

“We’re still seeing different people in need, but we’re not seeing near the amount of need that we have in the past,” she said.

Last year, the bureau provided gifts for 404 families, a decline from the year before and perhaps a sign that things are turning around for Allen County residents, Surbeck said.

“There were a couple agencies that didn’t turn in families for this year,” she said. “We hope that’s a sign that the economy is getting a little better and there aren’t as many people that need us.”

Individuals or groups interested in adopting a family should contact Jane Surbeck at 710-2163.

jcrothers@jg.net